reviews of oxycheq o-pac?

[archman]

Last call! Any more O-Pac reviews or comments? There HAVE to be a few more folks out there that have tried out this thing... after all it can't be TOO embarassing for all the backplate people. You could slip me a private message if you don't want your friends to find out you've been wearing one. Ha ha.

 

[5615mike]

Why not consider a DR TPII? Very similar to what you are looking at and there a host of dealers in TX for DR. Getting ready to order one myself for my cavern and intro to cave classes.

 

[Scubaroo]

The difference between the O-Pac and the Transpac II, is the O-Pac's continous one piece hogarthian webbing, for people who don't want the clips etc of the TPII's harness.

 

[archman]

Yeah, the transpac II was my ultima thule for months, and then I joined this annoying message board and was barraged by all the backplate and DIR divers. I view the o-pac as a compromise for "naked tropics diving."
My scubapro x-tek is essentially an earlier transpac model, and I really want to get my rig as minimal as possible, but keep it flexible for modification.

If someone reports a horrible defect/flaw in the O-pac this week, I'll get the stinking transpac. Neither of these rigs will puncture my bladder, in any event...

 

[Scubaroo]

The O-Pac is pretty darn simple - one piece webbing through a stiff yet flexible backplate made from material rather than metal. There's not much to go wrong. Basically a really lightweight alternative to a backplate for people that don't want the "chunk of metal" backplate. The padding is removable as well if you're diving ultralight.

 

[ABQdiver]

Last call! Any more O-Pac reviews or comments? There HAVE to be a few more folks out there that have tried out this thing... after all it can't be TOO embarassing for all the backplate people. You could slip me a private message if you don't want your friends to find out you've been wearing one. Ha ha.

with the O-Pac has been a favorable one. Just got back from a cruise to the Caribbean and used the O-Pac on all my dives. I had considered taking my SS plate withe the rest of the gear, but liked the idea of saving some weight. That damn dive bag get pretty heavy with two sets of gear in it and with weight restrictions most airlines have I opted for something lighter.
Chris at COVCI was (as always) very helpful and got the O-Pac right out in plenty of time to travel.

I experienced good trim, even using my 45# OxyCheq wing in combination with Pac. Which I would consider to much lift for the kit, but I didn't want to spend even more money and get a small wing just yet. I shucked the back padding but left the strap pads. Don't think they added much if any buoyancy.
This will be my plate for all the tropical waters from now on. If I feel flush, I'll get a 18# single wing, but all said I would definitely recommend the set up. Worked well for me.